Protector

--

To them we are less than dirt and worse than filth.

To us they are just human beings.

Human beings should be equal or at least that's the way paladins see things and because we are not normal then we are social worms. We are deemed not fit of life and should therefore be eliminated without remorse.

But it is not our fault that we were born with this gift and given the circumstances of being born this way, most of us would gladly shun away from it if we could.

It is sort of funny – in an ironic type of way of course – that human beings have no idea about the war being raged all around them. Not that we aren't all humans because we are: whether they choose to believe that or not. And having the norms know about us… well… that would just end up causing more chaos for both parties involved. So this war rages silently: it is just them versus us.

It is the paladins purpose to kill all those who are not normal.

It is our job to survive.

And so this is the war that has waged for hundreds of years and will continue to do so for hundreds more. For when something does not fit in the norm, it is human nature to want to destroy it.

Just like it is human nature to rebel.

I am part of that rebellion.

--

Drip.

Drop.

Drip.

Drop.

I hate the rain. It not only makes my hair fizz and makes the ground muddy, not to mention the fact that it is impossible to sleep in. I suppose to some the sound of the rain against the windows helps soother one to sleep. Not me. The insistent pattern of the rain only makes me cringe under the covers.

Ring.

Ring.

My eyes dart to the digital clock sitting on the dusty oak nightstand.

5:12AM.

You have got to be kidding me. Maybe if I ignore and try to fall asleep I won't hear the -

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

- stupid annoying ringing.

I pick up the receiver making sure to yawn into it before answering, just for the added effect since I wasn't really sleepy in the slightest. "Hello?"

"Report to Orb."

Click.

No formal greeting of course and not even a proper 'goodbye' before hanging up on me. And how do they even know it was me who answered the phone, it could have been a wrong number.

Sigh.

But it never is a wrong number, unfortunately.

Heh.

So much for my day off.

--

The sound of phone's ringing and people chatting is what fills the air as soon as I open the door to Orb: my home away from home I suppose. Walking into the building, I stick out like a weed in a field of roses. Not surprising because although I have been in this organization for the past five years, I don't look the job. The people walking back and forth in front of me were at least twice my age and looked at least triple. The dress suits and pants made them looked distinguished, while it only made me look like a child playing dress up. My face is stuck on sixteen and there is nothing I can do about it. I suppose a girl with my look should be better fitted in the drive through window at McDonalds.

"Miss. Laura Auden." A hand encircles my waist and I smile at the male looking down on me. "I've missed you." The hand on my waist inches lower. Typical.

"Eliot." I elbow said male in the ribs making him double over from the pain. "Can't say I feel the same."

"Tease."

And so begins another regular day at the Orb Organization: this was my haven as it was for all in the fight against all paladins. Whereas they had grouped and organized quicker through the ages, we were now steadily becoming a wider spread organization. For those lucky enough to find us in time, we provide nothing more than safe environment in which they are welcomed to stay and turn to on a needed basis. As for my job, I am what is known in the rebellion as a protector. I think it suits me rather well.

"Laura." My head looks to my right as Scott Bly, one of my bosses, stands by the doorway of his office. "Carlyle wants you in his office." Back inside he went without so much as a 'how are you', I would have even settled for a simple 'hello'. I guess that's too much to ask for around here.

Without flattering in my step I immediately went to the office located in the far corner of the small building. It stood alone without any offices surrounding it on either side. I suppose that the isolated placement of the office was merely to add to the mystery that is Carlyle. I lifted my hand to knock on the door, but before I even made contact I heard a voice from inside.

"Enter."

Jeez, I hate when he does that. The man sitting on the swivel office chair turned to face me. "You have an assignment." He slides a folder across his desk, a gesture that was meant for me to take a seat.

I do as expected and sit myself in front of him while going through the folder. There was the typical information: Male, Mid 20s, Irish… blah, blah, blah. My eyes land on the bold typed word across the bottom.

"Another jumper?" My tone is business-like. An assignment dealing with a jumper is never to be taken lightly, especially not when lives are at stake.

"Griffin O'Connor." Carlyle said with a deep sigh in his voice. "This one's not like Rice."

I resisted the urge to say 'no shit' as I continued to scan the contents of the folder. This guy has single handedly killed over sixty paladins. The guy might as well be on a suicide mission. He is clearly a hunter and studying his striking pattern it is clear who he is after. Pfft, what a moron. Judging from the information written down, this guy can safely be labeled an egotistic manic, but then again who isn't nowadays. There was a small picture located in the back of the folder as well. Hmmm. It's a good thing this guy is cute, makes for a much more interesting assignment that way.

"Your job is to protect him." I nearly laughed, I doubted a guy with this kind of record would need my protection, but regardless I didn't voice my opinion. "He is very valuable."

I nodded my head and closed the folder. My job was to protect and that was exactly what I was going to do: no matter what this Griffin guy had to say about it. The reason why the organization considered him valuable is not my concern. Nor would my question have been answered if I had asked. That was not my purpose.

"Mission accepted," I said with a quirky salute. I heard a grumble from Carlyle as I walked out, which I suppose is as close as to good luck as I'm going to get from him.

This jumper guy was said to have been last tracked to London, England. His whereabouts were dated less than 12 hours ago at a local bar. For his sake, it better not be a strip bar. The last thing I need is to be half naked whilst chasing a jumper.

I guess off to London I go - sigh - it is going to be a long day.

--

author notes: so I ended up watching this movie over the weekend and am now officially hooked, though I still can't believe this movie doesn't have its own category. anyhow, I couldn't help but fall head over heals for Griffin and thus this fic was born. i don't have a solid foundation for where I am going with this fic so bare with me as I 'wing it'. please read and review.

all reviewers get an exclusive sneak peek into the next chapter. so take this bribe and review!